India’s Solar Power Dream

India has been aggressively pushing towards a more sustainable

future by investing heavily in renewable energy sources, with
solar energy at the forefront of its efforts. The Government of India
has set the target to expand India’s renewable energy installed
capacity to 500 GW by 2030. India has promised to source nearly
half its energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030 and, in the
shorter term, source at least 60% of its renewable energy from
solar power.

India is committed to reducing the country's dependence on fossil

fuels and transitioning towards a greener future, and the growth of
the solar sector plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.

India is pushing towards renewable energy due to government’s

support for the transition. The recognition that solar energy is a
free and abundant resource also plays a role. But there are some
misconception regarding Solar energy which we need to consider
first.

What are the Misconceptions about Solar Energy?

▪ Levelized Cost of Solar Power is Coming Down:
o It is believed that the levelized cost of solar
power coming down and some believe that the
cost will decrease linearly over time, that the
cost is the same for all regions, that the cost
only takes into account the cost of solar panels,
that it doesn't include maintenance costs, and
that it ignores energy storage costs.
 o In reality, the cost can be affected by various
factors such as technology advancements,
changes in market conditions, and government
policies, and the levelized cost takes into
account all components of a solar power
system including installation and ongoing
maintenance costs, not just the cost of solar
panels.
▪ Financially Viable:
o Solar energy is made financially viable by
misguiding the people by leaving out storage
battery cost; handicapping it with subsidies and
concessions that are front loaded by the
government, and forcing it on the industry and
hapless discoms through state policy.
What are the Benefits of Solar Energy?
▪ Renewable:
o Solar energy is a renewable source of energy,
meaning it can be produced indefinitely without
depleting resources.
▪ Clean:
o Solar energy is a clean source of energy,
producing no harmful emissions or pollution.
▪ Cost-effective:
o The cost of solar energy has decreased
significantly in recent years, making it
increasingly cost-effective as a source of
energy.
▪ Reliable:

2
 o Solar energy systems are becoming increasingly
reliable and durable, requiring little
maintenance.
▪ Versatile:
o Solar energy can be used for a wide range of
applications, including electricity generation,
heating, and lighting.
▪ Decentralized:
o Solar energy systems can be installed on a
small scale, making it possible to generate
energy locally, reducing dependence on
centralized energy sources.
What are the Challenges with Solar Energy in India?
▪ High Initial Costs:
o Despite recent reductions in the cost of solar
panel technology, the upfront cost of
installation remains high, which can be a barrier
to adoption for many households and
businesses.
▪ Limited Access to Finance:
o Access to finance for renewable energy projects
can be limited, particularly for smaller and rural
projects, which can make it challenging for
individuals and organizations to invest in solar
energy.
▪ Infrastructure and Grid Connectivity:
o A lack of adequate infrastructure and grid
connectivity in some areas of the country can
make it difficult to transmit the electricity

3
 generated from solar panels to where it is
needed.
▪ Land Availability:
o Finding suitable land for large-scale solar
projects can be a challenge in India, particularly
given competing demands for land for other
purposes such as agriculture and urban
development.
▪ Maintenance and Operation Issues:
o Poor maintenance and operation of solar power
systems can reduce their efficiency and
effectiveness, which can impact the long-term
viability of renewable energy projects in India.
o Cleaning solar panels currently is estimated to
use about 10 billion gallons of water per year —
enough to supply drinking water for up to 2
million people.
• Attempts at waterless cleaning are
labor intensive and tend to cause
irreversible scratching of the surfaces,
which also reduces efficiency.
• Now, a team of researchers at MIT has
devised a way of automatically
cleaning solar panels, or the mirrors of
solar thermal plants, in a waterless, no-
contact system that could significantly
reduce the dust problem.

4
What are the Related Initiatives?
▪ Solar Park Scheme: The Solar Park Scheme plans to
build a number of solar parks, each with a capacity of
nearly 500 MW, across several states.
▪ Rooftop Solar Scheme: The Rooftop Solar Scheme aims
to harness solar power by installing solar panels on the
roof of houses.
▪ National Solar Mission: It is a major initiative of the
Government of India and State Governments to promote
ecologically sustainable growth while addressing India's
energy security challenge.
▪ SRISTI Scheme: Sustainable rooftop implementation of
Solar transfiguration of India (SRISTI) scheme to
promote rooftop solar power projects in India.
▪ International Solar Alliance: International Solar
Alliance is an action-oriented, member-driven,
collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar
energy technologies.
▪ Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-
KUSUM): The PM-KUSUM scheme was launched by the
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to
support installation of off-grid solar pumps in rural areas
and reduce dependence on grid, in grid-connected areas.

What should be the Way Forward?

▪ Utilising Large Hydro:

5
 o With large hydro, India can produce more
renewable energy at the least cost and with the
least carbon footprint.
• India has utilised only about 15% of its
hydro potential whereas the U.S. and
Europe have utilised 90% and 98% of
their potential, respectively.
• The extent of utilisation of hydro
potential seems to be an index of
civilisational development and
evolution.
▪ Expanding Infrastructure and Investment:
o India needs to increase investment in
renewable energy infrastructure, including
transmission and distribution networks, as well
as in research and development of new solar
technologies.
▪ Encouraging Private Sector Participation:
o The private sector can play a crucial role in
developing and deploying solar energy in
India, and the government should create
favorable policies and incentives to encourage
private sector involvement.
▪ Improving Energy Storage Solutions:
o Energy storage systems are essential for
ensuring that solar energy can be effectively
used, even when the sun is not shining. The
Indian government should support the
development of advanced energy storage
solutions to make solar energy more accessible
and reliable.

6
 ▪ Promoting Rooftop Solar:
o Rooftop solar systems can be a cost-effective and
convenient way for households and businesses to
generate their own energy. The Indian government
should encourage the growth of rooftop solar by
providing incentives, subsidies and tax credits.
▪ Building a Skilled Workforce:
o The growth of the solar energy sector in India will
require a skilled workforce. The government should
invest in training and education programs to build a
pipeline of skilled workers who can help deploy and
maintain solar energy systems.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY TELEGRAM CHANNEL

🙂 👇🏻👇👇👇 🙂
The Hindu Editorial Analysis
(@the_hindu_editorial_newspaper)